Mohave County miner., 1887-12-10
CHIEF GERONIMO.
HIS Mode Of Life NJ Fort Pichens
..-VandsoHne Matches.

A Pensacola, Fla, letter to the Phila-
delphia Times says: At the door Of the
first room were two Indian women seated
on the floor playing cards. Our civiliza-
ton has taught them this. They ceased
their game as we came up and smiled at
the party. The soldier with US could not
interpret, 80 our conversation was limited
to few signs.
Next we met q woman with a baby
swinging on her back. She stopped TO
let us examine the little fellow. They
have most remarkable instrument Of
torture" ~ we dubbed II. for carrying
the "papooses" until they can walk. 1t
is OF wood, shaped something like a
coffin, with the sides very much lower,
though. In that the child IS placed and
strapped. from its neck down to its heels.
its hands straight down by its sides, so
that the little fellow can move it's head
only. This arrangement has band Of
leather which the mother passes around
her forehead. When busy at any thing
she stands il up against the wall or a
post. OF all the babies we saw there we
did not hear one whimper. The women
are very friendly and seemed pleased a.
the attention paid them and their chill
dren by visitors, laughing u great deal,
and showing invariably the fine rows Of
teeth. We saw great quantities OF bead
work, baskets, etc, which they are busy
preparing to sell winter tourists, but we
did not purchase, as Indian work is 30
much better done by Americans now.
We soon reached Geronimo's quarters.
He sat on a chair near his door, and one
Of his squaws was on the ground near
him, while baby just walking played
about bis feet. Within the room on the
bed, were seated little boy and girl,
jabbering away for all they were Worth,
who quite scorned all our efforts to
attract them to US. Geronimo was more
suave than any Indian man l have ever
seen. He smiled and shook hands, and
his manner was almost affable. ] was
very much amused TO see the murierous
cid fellow play with his child. One OF
his squaws died last week, but be did not
mourn very long.
We had been told that Natchez was
more naughty than all the others, but
think we caught him on his red-letter
day, he was 80 polite. He is the finest
looking Of any OF the chiefs, and his face
is more honest. Geronimo has blander
smile, but would never inspire confidence.
Natchez' hands and feet are small. He
stood up for us to look at him. He is
long and 1.-THE Of limb, and looks as If his
strength were quick and nervous rather
than Of the enduring kind. His hatred Of
Geronimo does not seem to abate. In
fact the old diplomat, as he is called here,
is in bad odor with the other chiefs.
They hold him accountable for their sur
render, and have never forgiven him.
A great pity came over me as we turned
to 90. Thought Of their free life in the
great, far.reaching country Of the West,
their hatred Of the pale faces Of the East.
Here they were, shut within four narrow
walls, subject to their despised conquer
ors and their equally hated modes Of life.
! wondered they did not rise in their
wrath and slaughter the handful Of men
who have them in charge. But life seems
sweet TO all human beings, and we soon
learn prudence II the penalty Of reckless.
ness be death.
The storms Of a few weeks since terri.
fed them. The "big water" inspires
them with an awe and dread that nothing
else does. and it was an infinite relief TO
them when the heavens cleared and the
waters were again calm. The booming
Of the serf, which sounded like the play
Of artillery far in the city, filed them
with unspeakable terror. What will be-
come of them? Will their lives be spent
in prison? 1t is knotty question, and
one which the government has not yet
solved. They are not quite the heroes Of
Cooper, and their love Of dirt and treach-
cry is repulsive; but they are men, and
men OF 80 different birth and rearing we
cannot force them quite yet into our nor
rover grooves.